Walking Aids

This page is designed to help anyone who has been given a walking aid to help them get around.

You will find a number of videos below showing you some ways to use the walking aid you may have been given.

Some people may have been given some specific instructions from their hospital about how they should use their foot or leg whilst using the walking aid. This is normally after an injury or an operation. Below is a list of the commonly used terms for these instructions and what they mean.

Commonly used terms with walking aids:

Unrestricted or Full weight-bearing

This means you can take as much weight as you like through your foot / leg.

Limited or Partial weight-bearing

This indicates that you can apply some weight onto your foot or leg, but not your full weight. The hospital will typically determine how much weight you should be placing on your foot or leg.

Non-weight-bearing

This means you should not take any weight through your foot / leg.

Less commonly used terms with walking aids:

Weight-bearing as pain allows

This means you can take as much weight through your foot / leg as you can.

Touch weight-bearing

This means you should only touch the floor gently with your toes but not actually take any real weight through them.

How to use elbow crutches:

Unrestricted or limited weight-bearing with elbow crutches

Touch weight-bearing with elbow crutches

Non-weight-bearing with elbow crutches

Unrestricted weight-bearing with one crutch

Standing up and sitting down with crutches

Stairs with crutches - Unrestricted or Limited weight-bearing

Stairs with crutches – Non-weight-bearing

How to use a walking stick:

How to use a walking frame:

Walking with a frame

Standing up and sitting down with a frame

What do I do with my walking aid when I’m finished with it?

Does your walking aid have a sticker like this (normally found towards the bottom)?

Yes, I have found a Medequip sticker.

Norfolk patients: Contact Medequip on 01603 511124 or email norfolk@medequip-uk.com for free collection. Alternatively, you can return equipment directly to their service centre.

Suffolk patients: Contact Medequip on 01473 351805 or email suffolk@medequip-uk.com for free collection.

No, I cannot find a Medequip sticker.

You can take your walking aid to your local council waste and recycling centre where they can be either be sent for cleaning and re-issued back into the healthcare system or can be recycled.

Need more help? Refer yourself here.